Wood-Based Biomass Instead of Gas Boiler in Brazil

An industrial facility with a tall chimney, yellow containers, and several buildings. In the background, trees and hills can be seen.

Project type: Biomass

Project location: Caeiras, Brazil

Project status: In operation, credits available

Annual emission reduction of the whole project: 16,800 t

This project decreases CO₂ emissions by installing a biomass boiler instead of a gas boiler to meet the heat demands of a new paper machine at a pulp and paper mill in Caieiras, Sao Paulo, Brazil. With the project, the use of ash as fertilizer in agriculture and forestry as well as the implementation of alternative ways to give value to biomass residues such as sludge from the pulp and paper production are being promoted, and local jobs are being created.

Stockpiled sawdust (in the back) and wood logs ready to be chipped and mixed with the biomass residues in order to be fed into the biomass boiler.

Stockpiled biomass residues from forestry activities (background) and sludge from the mill’s processes ready to be mixed and then sent to the biomass boiler.

Biomass residues from forestry activities mixed with sludge from the mill’s own production process.

Entry point of mixed biomass into the biomass boiler.

Two engineers who work at the biomass boiler of the Melhoramentos Papeis‘ pulp and paper mill.

Road to Melhoramentos Papeis pulp and paper mill. Biomass residues for the plant’s boiler are obtained from these forests.

Stockpiled wood logs, which will then be chipped to be fed into the biomass boiler as fuel.

The mill produces around 43,000 tonnes of tissue paper articles such as hygienic paper, paper handkerchiefs, paper towels and napkins per year. Heat is a vital part of every pulp and paper production process and therefore a constant heat supply is essential for the mill to remain competitive.

The biomass boiler will be fed with renewable biomass and biomass residues from external agriculture, forestry and related industries, and with biomass residues from the mill’s own production process, some which are otherwise stockpiled.

The project helps with the promotion and use of innovative clean and efficient technologies as it is a show case for the rest of Brazil. It generates local income and promotion of employment opportunities in local communities due to the construction and maintenance of the plant; the collection, transport and sale of biomass residues; and services associated with the management of biomass residues. Moreover it helps to valorize regional biomass excess thereby helping avoid emissions from uncontrolled burning of these residues and also reducing the risk of forest fires.

The additional money from carbon finance is required as the project can be considered as first-of-its-kind since it is the first boiler that is able to burn sludge from the pulp and paper industry in Brazil. This has significant impacts on the design of the boiler, the required maintenance, the emission treatment system (enhanced) and the handling and mixing of the biomass fuel mix and it means that it has a higher probability of malfunctioning in comparison with a standard biomass boiler. Carbon finance will also be used for the building of a renewable energies educational center at the mill available to employees and community members.

What exactly are the CO₂ funds used for?

Even though the existing plant has already been built, it was possible thanks to the inclusion of CO2 funds in the design phase of the project. These funds would be used to overcome the uncertainties of being the first-of-its-kind and to cover the costs associated with potential failures and malfunctioning, as well as the additional maintenance and training costs, so that this project can be carried out and continue to be profitable. In addition, the Gold Standard registration in itself would give more credibility to this type of technology, which will be used to promote this kind of projects in Brazil and Latin America.

Project partners and implementers

The project is developed and implemented by Softys part of CMPC Companies, with more than 40 years of history, experience and track record. It is one of the largest tissue producer in Latin America. In 2009, it bought the company Melhoramentos Papéis, a tissue product manufacturer in Sao Paulo.

Monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV)

Gold Standard climate protection projects are monitored on an ongoing basis, meaning that the clean energy delivered from the project is measured and checked continuously using power meter, calibrated and approved by the corresponding local authorities. The associated monitoring report is verified by an independent auditor and submitted to the Gold Standard as a verification report. The strict monitoring procedures, training and local support help to maintain high quality standards throughout the project, ensuring that the pulp mill and the recycled paper plant is functioning. This ensures that the project is successful in the long term and that the emissions reductions generated by the project are correct. See more detailed information below under 'Documentation'